As a tween, I devoured the first three books of the series. Then I started the fourth, and quickly lost interest. I was simply too young to enjoy the newest capers in Anne's life. A few years later, I picked up the series again and devoured the rest.​Interesting, right? But doesn't seem to connect to my current goal. Keep reading...

Spoiler Alert!

​(Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read the Anne of Green Gables series, you might want to stop reading this post. Bookmark it and come back after you've finished all nine books. I'll be waiting!)

​If my memory serves, Anne received 5 marriage proposals before she finally said yes to Gilbert Blythe. Actually she received 6, but I never really knew whether to count the one by proxy. I mean, would you seriously consider a marriage proposal if it was given through a friend? I wouldn't.But that's the proposal that most directly relates to my current goal. That's right, this month I was rejected by proxy.

​Now, it wasn't out of cowardice as in Anne's case. No, don't think that! It was because I had submitted a play adaption with the author of a children's book. Well, she submitted it and I cheered her on. Yes, we got rejected, but we're researching other possible play publishers.

Back to Submitting

Part of me wants to quit. I wonder if I'm like my tween self who couldn't finish Anne series - I'm just not mature enough as a writer to create something that an agent will pick up.​Part of me knows I can't quit. But maybe I need to refocus a little. There are a few projects in my cobwebbed manuscript pile that seem to have a marketable edge in today's publishing climate.​And part of me (the part that's winning) wants to fill up that rejection bingo card.

Bingo Status

Two new marked squares this month. This would be right on track for my goal if every month I had the same number to report. Because it's October, I should have Xs on at least 3/4 of the bingo sheet. Truth is, with the two this month it's only half full. So what does that mean?

Keep on doing the query. Why is your protagonist the best suited to battle your antagonist? What makes your story different enough to be invested in but similar enough to sell to the same people who buy in your genre? What does your main character want and what is in the way and how does that compel readers to care?

Great questions! I'll answer them here and then use them for my query:
1. My protagonist is a 12yro who finds his niche in science. He's best suited to battle the antagonist because he instinctively understands how to apply science, but first he must overcome his tendency to hold grudges. It helps that he lives next door to the man who's building the time machine.
2. My book is WHEN YOU REACH ME meets THE CODERS with the homeschooling element of SAAVY
3. My protagonist wants to use the time machine himself, but his science mentor (who's building the machine) won't let him. We care because we relate to the protagonist.
Many have told me I've got the "voice" down, but need to strengthen the plot. That's what I'm working on right now. :)

Hi Jen
Of all the goals on the Five Year Project blog-hop, I like yours the best. Why? Because submitting to 24 agents is doable and under your control. Too many of us have goals that rely on other people liking our work, choosing to represent us, or publishing our work. Your goal is very specific and I like that.
You are right about honing the quality and craft of your writing. The problem is this: is any writer ever satisfied with the quality of their work? I know I feel everything I've written isn't quite good enough.
We're tough critics of ourselves.
Anyway, enough of me waffling on. Keep on keeping on. Best wishes

Ugh. Rejections. It's such a tough goal, but the only way to get to the end is through. Good luck and best wishes! All the advice I see out there from everyone is to keep writing while you are querying. It's hard when you keep getting zapped, though!